Home › Districts › Mahisagar
✦ DISTRICT TRAVEL GUIDEMahisagar
Riverlands of central Gujarat.
Mahisagar is one of Gujarat's 33 districts — explore its destinations, culture, food, heritage, wildlife and hidden gems in this complete travel guide.
About Mahisagar
Mahisagar — named for the broad, sacred Mahi river — is a district of eastern Gujarat where history runs astonishingly deep. At Raiyoli near Balasinor lies one of the world’s great dinosaur fossil sites, where eggs and bones of creatures that roamed 65 million years ago still emerge from the red earth.
The Mahi is dammed at the mighty Kadana reservoir, while the old princely town of Lunawada watches over its lakes and palaces. Ancient Galteshwar temple, forested hills and a deep tribal culture round out one of Gujarat’s most surprising districts.
The Raiyoli site deserves its billing. It is among the largest dinosaur nesting grounds known anywhere, yielding thousands of eggs along with the remains of Rajasaurus narmadensis, the predator named for this stretch of the Narmada valley, and the fossil park and museum built around it make Mahisagar a genuine destination for anyone travelling with children.
The rest of the district runs to river country and quiet heritage: the Kadana dam’s backwaters reaching toward the Rajasthan border, the medieval sculpture group at Kaleshwari near Lavana, and Lunawada, the former princely capital that serves as the practical base with its lakes and palace fragments. Ahmedabad and Vadodara are each about two hours away via Godhra; October to March gives the comfortable travelling weather.
Fast Facts
Why Visit Mahisagar?
Fossils, dams, palaces and a holy river.
Dinosaur Fossils
World-class Raiyoli site
Kadana Dam
A vast Mahi reservoir
Royal Lunawada
Old princely town & lakes
Sacred Mahi River
The district's lifeline
Balasinor Palace
A royal heritage stay
Galteshwar Temple
An ancient riverside shrine
Forested Hills
Green eastern country
Tribal Culture
Bhil & Adivasi traditions
Top Places to Visit
Fossils, dams, palaces and temples.
FOSSIL PARK
Balasinor Dinosaur Park
World-famous Raiyoli dinosaur fossil site
DAM
Kadana Dam
A mighty reservoir on the Mahi river
ROYAL TOWN
Lunawada
An old princely town of lakes & palaces
RIVER
Mahi River
The broad, sacred river of the district
PALACE
Balasinor Palace
A Nawab’s garden-palace heritage stay
TOWN
Santrampur
A forest-edge town of the highlands
HERITAGE
Virpur
An old town with a royal past
TEMPLE
Wankaneshwar
A revered Shiva shrine of the region
LAKES
Lunawada Lakes
Serene waters around the royal town
Hidden Gems
Quiet corners only locals know.
Famous Temples & Spiritual Places
Ancient riverside shrines and faith.
Nature & Wildlife
The great Mahi and its forested hills.
Also: Lunawada lakes · the Goma & Panam riverbanks · birdrich Kadana backwaters and quiet forest valleys.
Local Food Guide
Tribal-belt fare and Gujarati staples.
Culture & Festivals
From Jurassic past to living tribes.
HERITAGE
Lunawada Royals
Lunawada was a princely state of the old Mahikantha agency — a lakeside town of palaces, temples and quiet royal heritage tucked into the hills of eastern Gujarat.
FESTIVAL
Holi & Fairs
In the tribal belt of eastern Gujarat, Holi is the festival of the year — days of bonfires, drums, colour and country fairs where whole villages gather to dance in the spring.
RIVER
Mahi Worship
The Mahi river gives Mahisagar its very name — a sacred stream honoured with aartis and fairs at its ghats, where pilgrims bathe and worship the river as a living goddess.
Living culture: the deep-time legacy of the Raiyoli dinosaurs · Lunawada’s royal heritage · vibrant Bhil tribal traditions · Mahi river worship & forest fairs.
Shopping & Local Products
Tribal crafts and quirky keepsakes.
Dino Souvenirs
Keepsakes from Balasinor
Tribal Handicrafts
Bhil beadwork & textiles
Bamboo Crafts
Forest-made bamboo ware
Forest Honey
Pure wild hill honey
Terracotta
Earthen pots & folk figures
Millet & Produce
Nagli & forest grains
Best Time to Visit
Cool, dry winters for fossils and the dam.
Oct – Mar
Jul – Sep
Apr – Jun
How to Reach Mahisagar
Easily reached from Godhra & Ahmedabad.
By Air
Vadodara (~110 km) and Ahmedabad (~110 km) airports are nearest.
By Train
Lunawada has a railway station; Godhra Junction is a bigger hub.
By Road
Good highways via Godhra connect to Ahmedabad and Vadodara.
Sample Itineraries
From a fossil day to a river-and-palace loop.
Jurassic Day
Balasinor Dino Park · Raiyoli fossil site · Balasinor palace lunch
Fossils + River
Day 1 — Balasinor dino park · Day 2 — Kadana Dam · Lunawada lakes & palace
East Gujarat Loop
Balasinor & Lunawada · Kadana & Mahi river · Galteshwar temple · Forested Santrampur
Royal & Sacred
Lunawada palace · Galteshwar temple · Wankaneshwar shrine
Dino & Dam
Dinosaur museum · Kadana reservoir · Riverside picnic
River & Hills
Mahi backwaters · Kadana birdwatching · Khanpur forests
Photography Spots
Fossils, dam waters and river country.
HERITAGE
Raiyoli Fossils
The Raiyoli fossils are the celebrated dinosaur remains found near the village of Raiyoli in eastern Gujarat, an area regarded as one of the significant fossil sites of its kind. It is especially associated with large nu
HILL STATION
Eastern Hills
The eastern hills form the forested, undulating frontier where Gujarat rises toward its neighbouring states, a landscape quite different from the plains and coast most associate with the region. Here you find wooded ridg
Travel Tips
Make the most of your Mahisagar trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything to plan your Mahisagar visit.
Why is Mahisagar famous?
For the Balasinor (Raiyoli) dinosaur fossil park — one of the world's largest — plus the Kadana dam and royal Lunawada.
What can I see at Raiyoli?
Fossilised dinosaur eggs and bones, and a modern museum explaining Gujarat's Jurassic past.
What is Kadana Dam?
A large dam on the Mahi river forming a vast, scenic reservoir.
Can I stay in a palace?
Yes — the Balasinor Nawab's garden-palace runs as a heritage hotel.
How do I reach the district?
Vadodara and Ahmedabad airports are ~110 km away; Godhra junction is the main railhead.
When should I visit?
October to March offers the most comfortable weather for sightseeing.
Related Destinations
More of East & Central Gujarat to discover.
WHERE TO STAY
Find your stay in Gujarat
Compare live prices across the big booking sites and reserve in a few taps. Booking happens securely on the partner's site — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Book directly on our partner sites — tap a provider to see live Gujarat hotels & prices:
SHOP THE REGION
Bring home Gujarat — & travel essentials
Hand-picked crafts and trip gear, available on Amazon.